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Won't you Marry Me By Sundown?

July Book of the Month

Chapter One

“I DON’T THINK SHE’S GOING to stop crying, even for this party,” Sophie warned Violet as she returned to the bedroom the two girls shared.

Violet Mitchell sighed, knowing Sophie was talking about her aunt Elizabeth, Sophie’s mother. But then Violet put her arm around her cousin’s shoulders and squeezed gently. She was good at consoling, good at mothering, too, having tried to be a mother to her two brothers when they were all still children.

“She doesn’t want me to go,” Violet remarked.

“None of us want you to go!”

“She shouldn’t have arranged this party, which is just going to remind her that I’m sailing back to America in the morning.”

“If only that letter hadn’t arrived four days ago,” Sophie said in a grouchy tone. “If it had come next week, you would at least have been here for the first ball of the Season. I can’t believe you’re going to miss them all!”

Violet was going to start crying herself in a moment. She had so looked forward to the festivities this summer and sharing them with Sophie. She and her cousin had both turned eighteen this year, Violet last month, Sophie in early spring. Violet had continued to grow this year, ending up at five feet seven inches, while Sophie was quite petite at only five foot three. And Elizabeth had spared no expense in having beautiful wardrobes made for both of them.

Violet had lived with her aunt and uncle and their large brood of children these last nine years, ever since Aunt Elizabeth had come to America and visited Philadelphia, where she and Violet’s mother had been born, and swooped into the Mitchell household insisting that Violet was returning to London with her to live with her and her husband, Lord Edmund Faulkner, and their six daughters. Violet’s father, Charles, hadn’t protested too much.

Violet actually understood why her father was relieved to have her taken off his hands. Raising a daughter without his wife, who had died of consumption a few years after Violet was born, had probably been a bit much for him. Her brothers, Daniel and Evan, hadn’t protested either. They didn’t exactly enjoy her bossing them around, but with no mother to guide the rambunctious boys, Violet had taken it upon herself to assume a motherly role toward her brothers, even though they were two years older than she. But there had been no one to mother her, and by the age of nine, she’d definitely felt that lack. So she hadn’t protested much either when she’d been told she would be leaving her immediate family and moving to London. It had been hard trying to be a mother. Yet the behavior had been ingrained in her by then, and she’d done her fair share of bossing her cousins in England, too. But at least they didn’t mind. They called it her being American!

“You should be happy for me,” Violet remarked. “It will be wonderful to see Papa and my brothers again. You don’t think I’ve missed them?”

“You never mentioned it, so, no, it’s not something I gave much thought to.”

They both smiled before Violet continued, “You know what I mean. And you, my girl, have kept me too busy and entertained to darken your moods by sharing those occasional twinges of sadness I’ve felt when thinking about my brothers and father. But I wrote to them weekly, and while the boys aren’t as good about replying as I would have liked, I understand that they have other things on their minds besides writing letters. And I know my father hates writing. I was lucky to get eight letters from him in all the years I’ve been here, but he always had the boys include a few lines from him in their letters. And at least they all visited twice.”

“They should have come more often.”

“I’m surprised there was even a second visit five years ago, considering how terribly Papa and Evan suffered with seasickness on the first voyage.”

“Oh, I forgot about that. Still, they should have braved it for your come-out. If you hadn’t sent them that portrait of you last year, they probably would have, just to see for themselves how you turned out, seasickness or no.”

“Stop being annoyed for my sake when I’m not. I told them not to come again, that I would visit them instead. They might have enjoyed touring London, but they already did that twice—and while they would never say so, I don’t think they were all that comfortable with the formality of British society. But mainly, I felt too guilty that my father and Evan had to suffer like that both coming here and returning home. And I did plan to visit them this year, just not this soon. I probably shouldn’t have mentioned that I hoped to bring a fiancé with me. They weren’t very happy about that.”

“Did you really tell them that?” Sophie squealed happily.

“Why wouldn’t I? Your mother has been talking to us both about this particular Season for years, so, yes, I thought it was something that might happen, and I shared that with my family. After all, your mother expected us both to get engaged this Season.”

“What exactly did your father say about it?”

“Nothing yet. There were no lines from Papa in that reply, or in this last vague letter. But Papa will want me to be happy, so I expect to receive his permission to marry an Englishman when the time comes. In any case, it will be sorted out when I get home.”

Sophie suddenly gasped. “Is that why they want you home immediately? They are afraid to lose you to an English husband?”

Violet frowned for a moment as she considered that possibility, but then shook her head. “No, they wouldn’t dare try to pull a ruse like that. Daniel just wrote that it was urgent and sounded desperate about it.” “Yet failed to mention what is so urgent,” Sophie reminded her in pique. Violet sighed. “I’m sure he meant to explain, but he did mention that Evan had warned him not to write me about whatever is going on, so Daniel probably rushed the letter off so Evan wouldn’t find out about it. He might have thought he did explain better than simply saying, It’s urgent, Vi. Only you can fix this.”

“Yet failed to mention what is so urgent,” Sophie reminded her in pique.

Violet sighed. “I’m sure he meant to explain, but he did mention that Evan had warned him not to write me about whatever is going on, so Daniel probably rushed the letter off so Evan wouldn’t find out about it. He might have thought he did explain better than simply saying, It’s urgent, Vi. Only you can fix this.”

“But you will return soon, won’t you? You’re good at fixing things, so it shouldn’t take you long a’tall to fix whatever is wrong and be on the next ship back to us. Then you won’t miss all of the Season. And bring your brothers back with you, your father, too. It’s been five years, and we’re their family, too!”

“I’ll ask them, but there’s no guarantee I’ll be back before the end of this Season, not when it takes three to four weeks just to cross the ocean. Tonight I should be finishing my packing, not socializing. Shall we see if your mother is ready to go downstairs? I hope she didn’t invite many people to this bon voyage party.”

“I wouldn’t count on that, Cousin. The Season does start next week. Besides, a lot of the ton lives in London as we do and others come early to make sure the hostesses know they are in town. At least you will meet a few of them tonight.”

Violet laughed. “I’m going to meet them just to say good-bye?”

“No, no, you can assure them you’ll be back soon. Or not tell them a’tall. Mama didn’t exactly mention this is a good-bye party in the invitations, she just so wanted you to enjoy at least one party before you sail off tomorrow. And you’re so pretty, Vi. You were destined to break some hearts this summer. And no, I’m not the least bit jealous. You can only have one, after all. There will be plenty of young gentlemen to go around. And maybe you’ll meet the one you want tonight. Wouldn’t that be splendid! You’ll be yearning to return quickly,” Sophie ended with a laugh.

“But the packing—”

“Is mostly done and the servants will finish that while we’re downstairs. There’s no help for it, Cousin. You’re destined to simply enjoy yourself tonight.”

Enjoy herself? Violet thought. Maybe if she hadn’t been worried about her brothers and her father since Daniel’s letter had arrived four days ago. And maybe if she didn’t feel like crying herself because she had to say good-bye to her family here whom she’d come to love so much. But she’d been keeping these feelings to herself, mostly. If she’d learned anything during her stay with the Faulkners, it was how to put on a good face for all occasions.

Aunt Elizabeth did that now. She’d dried her tears before Sophie knocked on her door and offered a brilliant smile as she looked over her two favorite girls. Sophie was blond and blue-eyed and wearing an evening gown of palest aqua. Violet was also blond but favored lilac, the color of many of her new gowns, since it went so well with her dark-violet eyes. Tonight’s gown was trimmed in white satin and she was wearing her mother’s cameo on a ribbon about her neck. She hadn’t had much occasion to wear any baubles until now.

Her father had sent her all of her mother’s jewelry for her sixteenth birthday. She had hoped he would surprise her with a third visit to London that year, but he didn’t. Her father actually expected her to return home about this time, now that her schooling was done and she no longer needed Elizabeth’s mothering. He’d said as much the day she’d left home. But he hadn’t mentioned it again in those few letters that he actually wrote himself, merely saying that he loved and missed her. She really was going to give all three of them a good scolding when she got home for not writing more often, particularly Daniel for not explaining what required her to rush back to Philadelphia. She’d hoped he had immediately sent off another letter with a full accounting, but no further missives had arrived in the last four days. And while she had come up with all sorts of reasons, she could never, ever have guessed what awaited her at the home where she was born.

Marry Me By Sundown

By
Johanna Lindsey

An enticing new historical romance from No. 1 New York Times bestselling author Johanna Lindsey. Marry Me By Sundown takes you on a captivating adventure in 1880s Montana where passions and gold fever run high as an American heiress turns to a rugged mountain man to help her locate her father's fortune.

Summoned back to Philadelphia from the social whirl in London, Violet Mitchell never expected to find her brothers living on the edge of financial ruin while their father seeks new wealth in Montana's gold fields. With the family's home and social standing at risk, Violet makes a drastic decision.

Morgan Callahan rode away from his family's cattle ranch to make his own fortune. Now as he finishes exploiting a mother lode of silver, a young woman claiming to be his late partner's daughter turns up wanting to be taken to her father's mine. Suspecting that the pretty schemer works for the mining outfit that is trying to steal his land, he has no qualms about snatching her and holding her at his camp where she can do no harm.

Morgan underestimated the new thorn in his side. Determined to claim what rightfully belongs to her family, Violet summons up the courage, grit, and spunk to cope with the hazards and discomforts of an untamed land and the disturbingly masculine stranger who holds her fate in his hands. But an error of judgment brings down a hailstorm of calamity and danger that upends her plans and deepens her bond to a man who is not the brilliant match a lady wishes to make but could be all that a strong, passionate woman desires.Utterly captivating. Wonderfully entertaining. Let legendary author Johanna Lindsey capture your heart with her unforgettable romance.

Utterly captivating. Wonderfully entertaining. Legendary bestseller Johanna Lindsey will capture your heart.Johanna Lindsey is world renowned for her 'mastery of historical romance' (Entertainment Weekly), with more than sixty million copies of her novels sold. She is the author of fifty-one previous bestselling novels, many of which reached the number one spot on the New York Times bestseller list. Johanna lives in New Hampshire with her family.LEGENDARY AUTHOR: Headline Eternal is thrilled to be publishing Johanna Lindsey, known as America's best-loved writer of historical romance. She is a repeat No. 1 New York Times bestseller, with an incredible sixty million copies of her novels in print.HEADLINE ETERNAL: Whether your taste runs to passionate, romantic historicals, sizzling, exciting suspense, edgy, provocative paranormals, heart-warming and sexy contemporaries or intense and emotionally powerful new adult romances, Headline Eternal is the home of exceptional romance for every mood.

Beautiful Tempest: A Malory-Anderson Family Novel

By
Johanna Lindsey

In her new Malory-Anderson Family novel, Beautiful Tempest, No. 1 New York Times bestselling author Johanna Lindsey reveals the tempestuous story of Jacqueline Malory whose furious desire for revenge leads to a confrontation with the handsome pirate who abducted her - and sparks a much steamier kind of desire.

For the first time, James Malory and his Anderson in-laws agree on something: it's payback time for the culprit who kidnapped James and Georgina's beloved daughter Jack from her American debutante party and whisked her away to the Caribbean, no matter that she escaped unscathed. James figured out who masterminded the dastardly plot and is leading a fleet of ships to the West Indies to deliver some Malory-style retribution.

More interested in revenge than in finding a husband during her first London Season, Jack is furious that her father left her behind. Then an intriguing stranger leads her and her older brother Jeremy to her mysterious abductor. But instead of capturing him, the Malory siblings wind up as his 'guests' on a ship sailing away from England. As Jack re-engages in a battle of wills with her all too attentive captor, she realizes he is no ordinary pirate, perhaps no pirate at all, but a nobleman determined to settle a score that dates back to the days when her father was known as Captain Hawk - and what endangers her most is the increasingly passionate attraction they feel for each other.Utterly captivating. Wonderfully entertaining. Let legendary author Johanna Lindsey capture your heart with her unforgettable romance.

If readers need to remember why they are Lindsey fans, she delivers every reason in this spinoff of One Heart to Win. She incorporates her signature captive/captor plotline with sassy dialogue, plenty of verbal sparring, lots of heat and a bit of humor, all in perfect proportionsUtterly captivating. Wonderfully entertaining. Legendary bestseller Johanna Lindsey will capture your heart.Johanna Lindsey is world renowned for her 'mastery of historical romance' (Entertainment Weekly), with more than sixty million copies of her novels sold. She is the author of fifty-one previous bestselling novels, many of which reached the number one spot on the New York Times bestseller list. Johanna lives in New Hampshire with her family.LEGENDARY AUTHOR: Headline Eternal is thrilled to be publishing Johanna Lindsey, known as America's best-loved writer of historical romance. She is a repeat No. 1 New York Times bestseller, with an incredible sixty million copies of her novels in print.HEADLINE ETERNAL: Whether your taste runs to passionate, romantic historicals, sizzling, exciting suspense, edgy, provocative paranormals, heart-warming and sexy contemporaries or intense and emotionally powerful new adult romances, Headline Eternal is the home of exceptional romance for every mood.

Make Me Love You

By
Johanna Lindsey

No. 1 New York Times bestselling author Johanna Lindsey delivers a sparkling, passionate tale of an earl's daughter who must convince a mysterious viscount to marry her and end his vendetta against her brother.

One duel could be considered a matter of honour, but three duels are attempted murder. With enlightened society outraged at such reckless behaviour among young noblemen, the Prince Regent orders Robert Whitworth, the earl of Tamdon's heir, and Lord Dominic Wolfe to end their dispute by allying their families through marriage. Whichever party refuses to comply will forfeit his lands and title.

Whitworth relishes the idea of sending his younger sister Brooke to his enemy's remote estate. He knows the Wolf will reject her as a bride, thereby losing his wealth and status. The Wolf, however, is determined to scare away the Whitworth chit. With duelling no longer an available means of destroying the man he abhors, he will be satisfied to see him lose his lands and title. But he hadn't expected his enemy's sister to be so resourceful or resilient.

Brooke Whitworth has been dreaming of her first Season in London because she intends to win a husband who will take her far away from her unloving family. Instead, she is being sent to the Yorkshire moors to wed a mysterious nobleman whose family is cursed and who has thrice tried to kill her brother. But there's no room in her heart for fear; this man is her means of escape. She will make him love her...Utterly captivating. Wonderfully entertaining. Let legendary author Johanna Lindsey capture your heart with her unforgettable romance.

If readers need to remember why they are Lindsey fans, she delivers every reason in this spinoff of One Heart to Win. She incorporates her signature captive/captor plotline with sassy dialogue, plenty of verbal sparring, lots of heat and a bit of humor, all in perfect proportionsUtterly captivating. Wonderfully entertaining. Legendary bestseller Johanna Lindsey will capture your heart.Johanna Lindsey is world renowned for her 'mastery of historical romance' (Entertainment Weekly), with more than sixty million copies of her novels sold. She is the author of fifty-one previous bestselling novels, many of which reached the number one spot on the New York Times bestseller list. Johanna lives in New Hampshire with her family.LEGENDARY AUTHOR: Headline Eternal is thrilled to be publishing Johanna Lindsey, known as America's best-loved writer of historical romance. She is a repeat No. 1 New York Times bestseller, with an incredible sixty million copies of her novels in print.HEADLINE ETERNAL: Whether your taste runs to passionate, romantic historicals, sizzling, exciting suspense, edgy, provocative paranormals, heart-warming and sexy contemporaries or intense and emotionally powerful new adult romances, Headline Eternal is the home of exceptional romance for every mood.

Wildfire In His Arms

By
Johanna Lindsey

A passionate new tale from No. 1 New York Times bestselling author Johanna Lindsey, featuring one of her most intriguing heroes: the dangerous and mysterious Degan Grant from One Heart to Win.

A dangerous gunfighter. A beautiful outlaw. A thrilling pursuit.

Degan Grant is heading to California, far away from the home he wants to forget, when a US Marshal calls in a favour. Degan has to apprehend three outlaws and turn them over to the law - easy enough for a man no one wants to tangle with.

But one of the outlaws defies Degan's every expectation. Maxine is sassy, spirited - and insists she is innocent. And, knowing that her capture will lead to her hanging, she's determined to escape the handsome, enigmatic gunfighter.

Forced into intimate proximity with his beguiling prisoner, Degan finds his desire for Maxine sparking into a wildfire of passion between them. But they will have to risk confronting their pasts if they are to have any chance of a future in each other's arms...

If readers need to remember why they are Lindsey fans, she delivers every reason in this spinoff of One Heart to Win. She incorporates her signature captive/captor plotline with sassy dialogue, plenty of verbal sparring, lots of heat and a bit of humor, all in perfect proportionsMany wonderful heroes have been created by Johanna Lindsey, and those who live in the Old West are always a favorite. Wildfire In His Arms has one surprise after another, and the twists are inventively rivetingYou could feel the sexual attraction between these two . . . Lindsey allowed their relationship to develop slowly increasing the tension and making unexpected kisses sizzle . . . If you are looking for strong characters and a slow burning romance wrapped in suspense and surrounded by tumbleweeds look no further than Wildfire In His ArmsThere is action, romance and suspense which make for a perfect escape from reality . . . I enjoyed this book so muchThis is a wonderful historical western romance with some twists that make this story totally unique. Ms Lindsey is known for her awesome historical novels . . . I was immediately hooked and stayed that way until the end of this story. I absolutely loved the characters, the settings and the interactions . . . Fantastic story from beginning to end that has Ms Lindsey's storytelling talent shiningSaddle up for an opposites-attract meets knight-in-tarnished-armor romanceJohanna Lindsey still has a knack of creating fun and unforgettable characters who remain in a reader's thoughts and heart years after finishing a book . . . Wildfire In His Arms is a walk in time, reminding me of the many reasons I adore Johanna Lindsey's brand of storytelling and her masterful ability to create memorable charactersOne thing is for sure: Johanna Lindsey has a remarkable ability to pen characters who are at once dashing, dangerous, protective, intriguing, loving, admirable, eccentric, unusual, strong, determined and so much more, all at the same time!Utterly captivating. Wonderfully entertaining. Legendary bestseller Johanna Lindsey will capture your heart.Johanna Lindsey is world renowned for her 'mastery of historical romance' (Entertainment Weekly), with more than sixty million copies of her novels sold. She is the author of fifty-one previous bestselling novels, many of which reached the number one spot on the New York Times bestseller list. Johanna lives in New Hampshire with her family.LEGENDARY AUTHOR: Headline Eternal is thrilled to be publishing Johanna Lindsey, known as America's best-loved writer of historical romance. She is a repeat No. 1 New York Times bestseller, with an incredible sixty million copies of her novels in print.HEADLINE ETERNAL: Whether your taste runs to passionate, romantic historicals, sizzling, exciting suspense, edgy, provocative paranormals, heart-warming and sexy contemporaries or intense and emotionally powerful new adult romances, Headline Eternal is the home of exceptional romance for every mood.